Special Prosecutor Investigates Ex-President Yoon for Alleged Martial Law Preparations

A special prosecutor's team investigating remaining cases from a previous probe has uncovered evidence suggesting former President Yoon Suk-yeol was preparing for a state of emergency, or martial law, as early as November 2023. The investigation is focusing on Yoon's alleged attempts to gain the support of military leaders for such a plan. Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young announced on June 1 that testimony from former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo confirmed that preparations for martial law began in November 2023. During Kim's questioning on May 27 as a suspect in dereliction of duty related to martial law, he reportedly stated that Yoon asked him at a meeting on November 29, 2023, "Can you do anything I tell you to do?" According to reports, Kim responded that he would obey "legal and legitimate orders." The former president allegedly reacted with anger, slamming the desk and exclaiming, "If you're going to be like that, shoot yourself in the head," in an apparent attempt to pressure Kim. The meeting on November 29, 2023, coincided with the death of Ven. Jaseung, former head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. On that day, Yoon reportedly met not only with Kim but also with other security officials, including former Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, former Presidential Security Service Director Kim Yong-hyun, former National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong, and former Defense Security Commander Lee In-hyeong, raising suspicions about potential threats related to Jaseung's death. The special prosecutor's team plans to question former President Yoon on June 6 regarding allegations that he sent messages to the US and other countries to justify martial law. The prosecution intends to publicly broadcast Yoon's arrival at the investigation office. However, Yoon's legal team stated that discussions are ongoing and the matter is not finalized. Ahead of Yoon's questioning, the team also questioned former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong on suspicion of delivering messages to the CIA to justify martial law.